Week Number 4

Monday became a day of rest for me to recouperate from the wedding and to give my knee more time to heal. Tuesday morning was more of the same because there were meetings for plans for the week and for the Harvest Day on Oct. 3rd. This promises to be a great and exciting day and the ending of my visit.
In the afternoon, Natasha, Mariana and I went on a few more visits. We went to see a "tiny" lady from last year--Valentina. I think my grandson, James might be taller than she and such tiny hands and feet! As soon as she saw me, she remembered me and hugged and kissed me all over my face--even on my glasses! She couldn't believe I would come so far and come to see her again!!
I cut her hair and enjoyed visiting with her. Next, we went to see an older man--Dennis--who , until he became ill, had been very active in Filidelphia Baptist Church. He had some stories to tell me.
On Wednesday morning, Pavel and I went to visit a lady whose grandson takes part in the afterschool project the church does for children whose parents or grandparents must work and cannot afford to pay for their children to stay after school for the teachers to help them with their homework and keep them until the parents can pick them up. Pavel also told me about 2 young boys who live off the street. Their parents are alcholics who are drunk most of the time and don't work or care for their children. These boys will sometimes come to the church where they can get a good meal, hear a bible story, get help with their school work and get clean clothes and a bath. Sometimes they even go to funerals so they can get food to eat as well. There is no free lunch program for them!
That just broke my heart and if there was any money left from what I had brought, I wanted it to go to help this children's project. I know the people who gave me this money will want that!

When we returned to the church, I found the construction team from Virginia had arrived! It was great to carry on a conversation with out interpreters!! Those who came were John Miller, Bob and Shirley Foster, Bob Houck, Rock Hudson and Amy Lacy. They all looked like "death warmed over"--it is a long ride from the states! And, who can sleep on the plane??
Everyone went to their rooms to settle in. Amy became my roommate and we got to know each other. When lunch was called, all came dragging to the table.
Mariana and I went on a visit around 5pm to one of her friends homes. Oxana is a single mother--her husband died suddenly over a year ago, leaving her with a small son and an unfinished house. Because both of her parents are dead, Oxana's grandmother moved in to help her.
I had visited her grandmother last year and when she saw me she was glad to see me again . I could see how much the little boy had grown and so full of energy! This time we were happy to meet Oxana's boyfriend who she will marry in February.
They insisted on fixing us some tea and cake and they prepared it while I cut Oxana's grandmother's hair. While drinking the tea, I admired the pretty tea cups we were using. When we were ready to leave, her grandmother had wrapped up of the cups and saucers and gave them to me!
This is the way it is with these people. I am visiting them and taking them food to help them for a while and cutting their hair if they need it and they feel like they want to share something they have with me. I have received several bags of walnuts, 2 jars of pure honey, several jars of jam, a piece of an old aloe plant, grapes, dried herbs and now these 2 beautiful cups. And I accept them because they sincerely want me to have them! I wouldn't hurt their feelings for nothing and I know when I use any of these things, I will think of them and say a prayer for them.
This is why I have fallen inlove with these people--people who live as Christ, people who sincerely do not have an agenda when they meet you! They accept you for who you are!
Yesterday and today, Amy and Shirley went on the final 5 visits with me. They, too, met these people and were blown away by them. They witnessed their homes and their circumstances just like me. They said they are changed because of these people, too. How could you not be changed?
Then I return to the church in time to see the children who are part of the project. They always greet me with smiles and "Hello"s. I think someone forgot to tell them that they live in the poorest country in all of Eastern Europe and they are supposed to be unhappy!
I came on these mission trips to get out of myself and the losses I have suffered. But, the Lord has shown me there are so many who have more losses than I, less of the comforts than I, less of the material things than I, but, they have more. They have love and concern for their neighbor and they try to help each other out. Yes, I realize most of these are Christians and are loved by other Christians, but with God leading us, this way of life can grow.
With people like Igor, Mariana, her brothers and sisters, her parents, Natasha, Pavel, Serigo, Vatali, Luba, another Serigo, Tanti and so many others, I believe there will be uncountable souls in heaven with our Lord for eternity. Don't you want to be part of that? I sure do!!!

Moldovan Wedding-Part 2

When we were all seated at our tables at the reception, Andre' (the Groom) led us in prayer and we began to eat some beautiful delicacies which had been placed in front of us at the tables. You will never guess what I tasted and was pretty good. Red Caviar! It was rolled up in a little pastry shell. I thought, since this was probably the only chance I would get to taste it, I would give it a try.
The evening was spent with many different people getting up to share stories and blessings with the couple. That included both sets of parents. All four gave words of wisdom, but, I especially liked Barbara's (Mariana's mother). She blessed her new daughter-inlaw and talked about the Proverbs 31 woman and offered her help in any way. Both the bride and groom spoke to each set of parents, thanking them and honoring them. I was really touched by Anna's sincerity as she accepted Barbara and wanted to learn from her. What a precious young Christian woman!
Andre' blessed all of us with a song and even though I did not understand a word, he sang it beautifully! What a wonderful voice!
Mariana, her parents, and brothers and sisters sang, in beautiful harmony, a song to Andre' and Anna wishing them love, joy and happiness! Others read poems, or had videos that surprised the couple. Finally, little Demaris "Domi", Igor and Mariana's daughter, (age 9), sang to her uncle and new aunt. It was beautiful and I was so proud of her, especially since it was almost midnight when she finally got to sing! Poor little girl was anxious all evening!
Suddening the lights went out and the live orchestra began to play a stirring march as the waiters brought out the wedding cake--how gorgeous!! It was a delicious banana cake that melted in your mouth.
Then the final touch--the lights went out again and small votive candles had been placed in a heart shape in the entrance area. Andre' and Anna got into the middle and Andre' sang a beautiful love song to her as they slowly danced within the heart. That melted my heart especially at the end of the song. The attendents ran forward to the couple and threw rose petals on them as they kissed. WOW!! It was like a fairy tale come to life. What little girl has not dreamed of her groom singing to her at their wedding and sweeping her into his arms?
Needless to say it was 2am before I got back to the church and climbed into my bed. I was exhausted but happy.